Mechanized Equipment Operator - Conservation Program

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding service opportunities to over 1,500 members (youth and young adults) each year, and does so with a skilled staff of approximately 150 employees across the U.S. ACE has a national reputation for providing professional development opportunities on a variety of conservation projects for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and numerous state and local land management partners, either with crew based work or with individually placed interns.

Job Title: Mechanized Equipment Operator

Location: Flagstaff, AZ; Hurricane, UT. This position is onsite/hybrid

Department/Division: ACE Solutions

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Reports To: National Trails Program Manager

Schedule/Hours Full-time. Flexible Schedule with varying shifts; 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. Typical schedules are either four, 10-hour days/3 days off or eight, 10 hour-days/6 days off.

Travel: Extensive travel. Occasional travel from home base for up to 6 weeks.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Position Summary: The ACE Equipment Operator is a member of the ACE Solutions team and is responsible for completing conservation field projects (primarily trail construction) through the operation of mechanized equipment. The ACE equipment operator may also provide technical support to ACE's national crew divisions and assist in the development of trails projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proper and Safe Operation of Mechanized Equipment - Primarily (but not limited to) CAT 301.8 hydraulic mini-excavator with bucket, thumb and rock breaker attachments
• Conduct and log regular maintenance for ACE Equipment
• Proper use and upkeep of PPE
• Recommend and with approval, purchase supplies and parts for appropriate equipment
• Use weekly reports to log hours, activities and production rates for mechanized work.
• Submit invoices to respective programs for work performed.
• Coordinate with ACE Project Managers/Operations staff to ensure success by identifying and implementing appropriate mechanized work on projects
• Conduct pre-project site visits as applicable
• Prepare and load equipment one day prior to transport for project and properly derig equipment upon project completion
• Transport equipment to and from project site
• Assure successful mechanized construction from beginning to end of the project
• Assist with field training of ACE crews and staff.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Ability to safely operate and maintain industry-specific mechanized equipment - Extensive training provided.
• Ability to obtain and hold machine operation certifications as needed
• Experience loading trailers and towing equipment in a variety of conditions including off road and urban settings
• Organized, consistent, and persistent with strong follow-up capabilities
• Strong working knowledge of agency laws and regulations
• Must be able to take initiative, work independently and unsupervised, and facilitate and participate in collaborative efforts
• Project management experience overseeing multiple projects and working with teams in different locations
• Understanding of and experience working with conservation corps or public land management agencies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work remotely and independently with limited supervision
• Willingness to travel long distances, spend multiple weeks, or more, away from home location; including camping in remote settings
• Experience with risk management and implementing field safety protocols is critical for this role. An active Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification is preferred, or the willingness and ability to obtain one within 6 months of employment
• Relevant experience and knowledge working directly with federal, state, or local land management agencies and/or nonprofit and/or private landowners
• Relevant experience and knowledge with managing trail program/operation elements, especially facilitating processes within a nonprofit organization
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes

Desired Experience and Qualifications:

• Previous experience operating and maintaining Hydraulic Mini Excavators
• Knowledge of desirable mountain bike trail elements for trail project planning and implementation
• Experience in trail layout and design
• Previous experience building and maintaining trails with hand tools or mechanized equipment
• Understanding of and experience working with young adults in national service settings
• Knowledge and experience of Conservation work with familiarity of current issues

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work Environmental and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking/hiking, carrying, having full function of arms and legs. There is frequent travel to field sites via four wheel drive vehicles, fixed wing aircraft, and/or boats. Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of hand and power tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., occasionally moves up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Indoor air quality is good and the temperature is controlled. Field sites involve exposure to adverse weather, i.e., rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat, with outdoor Air Quality Index numbers occasionally and possibly exceeding 200.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. At field sites, may involve loud equipment like chainsaws, brushcutters, augers, dozers, excavators and rock drills
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.

Compensation: Competitive based on relevant experience or completion of ACE Operator training task book. $45,000 - $52,000.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100's of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn more about ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

Current Openings for Mechanized Equipment Operator Conservation Program Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff